iPad Air 3 to borrow iPad Pro features, according to leaked pic

As we head closer to a heavily tipped Apple launch event in mid-March, the rumour mill is getting into overdrive.

There has been plenty of talk about a new, smaller iPhone, but the most likely announcement that many are citing will be of a refreshed iPad - the iPad Air 3.

Plenty of speculation about a new 9.7-inch tablet has rattled around the net already, but the latest is perhaps the most exciting yet. It allegedly shows images of the device and reveals a couple of interesting new features.

Engadget claims that it received detailed design drawings of the iPad Air 3, with some hints at the device's enhancements. These came from a "reliable source" and, to be honest, Engadget doesn't tend to post leaked images willy-nilly.

If true, the drawings show that a few of the features found on the iPad Pro will make the leap to iPad Air 3 too. There is a Smart Connector on the side, that can be a good indication that the tablet will support the Smart Pen.

In addition, there are quad speakers for better audio.

There is also an extra hole underneath the rear-facing camera lens, suggesting that Apple will finally add an LED flash to the iPad.

The trade-off for new features, if the drawings are to be believed, will be size. Like the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus are fractionally thicker than their predecessors, so too will the iPad Air 3. It'll only be 0.05mm thicker though, so hardly noticeable.